Dear Democrat,

I’ve got two big pieces of news that I want to share with you.

First, I’d like to introduce you to Tyrone Hendrix. Tyrone is the new
Mississippi state director of Organizing for America, which is an
organization that grew from President Obama’s campaign. This organization is
dedicated to educating people on the President’s agenda and getting people
involved in making a difference for the future of our country. I’ve known
Tyrone for quite a while, and I believe he will enjoy great success in his
new position.

In fact, Tyrone is already doing good work. That’s the second piece of news.
OFA is hosting a Watch Party tonight for President Obama’s speech on
health care. This is a pivotal moment in the debate over health insurance
reform. OFA wants as many people as possible to come out, watch the speech
and share your thoughts on the President’s plan.

The Watch Party will start at 7 p.m. at 930 Blues Cafe, located at 930
State Street in Jackson. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome. For
more information, you can email Tryone at tyronehendrix@gmail.com.

Please come out, listen to the President and help us pass health insurance
reform. Together, we can bring about positive change for Mississippi and
America.

Democratically yours,

Sam R. Hall
Executive Director

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I wanted to share with you part of an email that I received earlier this week. It’s about the president’s commitment to reforming our health care system in America.

It seems that opponents of health care reform are doing everything they can to prevent a real discussion about the need for health care reform. These opponents of reform are spreading lies about the plans being debated in Congress, and they are using scare tactics in their descriptions of what the President wants to do by way of reforming our health care system.

In fact, what I wanted to share with you, is the President’s eight guarantees about the kind of health care reform he is seeking. President Obama said he won’t sign a health care reform bill that does not meet eight specific guarantees.

Under health insurance reform, everyone will benefit from these Health Insurance Guarantees that will provide more security and stability for Americans and their families:

1. No Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions. Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing coverage because of medical history.

2. No Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays. Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.

3. No Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care. Insurance companies must fully cover – without charge – regular checkups and tests that help prevent illness, including mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.

4. No Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill. Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or lessening coverage for people who become seriously ill.

5. No Gender Discrimination. Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging people more because of their gender.

6. No Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage. Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage people receive.

7. Extended Coverage for Young Adults. Children will be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.

8. Guaranteed Insurance Renewal. First, insurance companies will be required to renew a policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Second, insurance companies won’t be allowed to refuse renewal if someone becomes sick.

The President, Democratic leaders in Congress and champions of health insurance reform welcome a debate on the merits of any bill. President Obama has made painstakingly clear his position by offering those eight guarantees.

I hope you will share this email with friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members. Help us start a constructive debate about health insurance reform.

Too many people in Mississippi go everyday without adequate health care coverage. We have the opportunity to change that. I hope you will be a part of this historic opportunity.

Democratically yours,

Chairman Jamie Franks

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This is bush-league politics at it’s worse.

YallPolitics.com, a right-wing website that never misses a chance to take a cheap shot at Democrats, has now gone too far with their video about Congressman Travis Childers’ recent trip to Israel.

To say the video is offensive to the Jewish people is an understatement. In fact, the video lampoons the Jewish community just to score cheap political points against Congressman Childers.

We understand that after a lot of negative feedback, Alan Lange, who publishes YallPolitics, pulled the video. But just in case he decides to repost it, here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkOKGqxY87E&feature=player_embedded

So this is what the health care debate has devolved to among Republicans? Producing offensive videos that lampoon one of our nation’s strongest allies just to detract from the need for health care reform? Really?

This video is offensive to all of us who believe that the United State’s relationship with Israel is a special one. Congressman Childers traveled to Israel to learn about important national security issues. While he was there, he also toured a facility that employs roughly 100 people in Missisippi’s First District where he serves.

So this is what the right-wing has devolved to? Producing offensive, misleading, and hypocritical videos that lampoon one of our nation’s strongest allies just to detract from the real issues at hand? Really?

Two things need to happen:

1. Alan Lange, who publishes YallPolitics, should issue a public apology on his website for such an offensive video. Pulling the video is a good first step, but it is not enough.

2. Alan Nunnelee, who is challenging Congressman Childers, should publicly decry such crass, deplorable tactics. Any reasonable human being would do the same thing.

We are all for a real debate on the merits of health care, but this is ridiculous. A Jewish colleague of mine called this video “not only offensive, but deplorable”. I agree whole-heartedly.

Let’s rise above this kind of despicable display of political partisanship. And let us never lampoon an entire people, an entire nation, just to score points against an elected official.

Please pass this email along to your friend and tell them see to what lengths some people will go to defeat Congressman Childers while he’s working to promote national security and create jobs back home.

Democratically yours,

Jamie Franks

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Fellow Democratic Executive Committee Member:

This summer the Young Democrats of America is holding their national convention in Chicago. During this event delegates from each state receive election training, make valuable connections with other Young Democrats across the country, and elect officers to serve in the Young Democrats of America over the next 2 years.

The convention provides a great opportunity for young people to learn about the political process. More importantly, it gives people who are just starting to get involved in the election process valuable training tools to help win elections.

With that being said, YDMS President Parker Wiseman, YDMS Vice President Kate Jacobson, MDP party staff and I have been working together to form a delegation of 24 Young Democrats from Mississippi to attend the YDA Convention.

In order to do this we must assist in providing financial assistance for several young people across the state who have worked hard in this year’s municipal elections and last year’s national elections in Mississippi. These are young people who have shown that they are committed to being involved in the election process, and they are a resource to the Mississippi Democratic Party as we face mid-term elections in 2010 and statewide elections in 2011.

The plan as of today is to charter a bus to send the Mississippi Delegation to Chicago and help the delegates pay for food and hotel expenses. I am hoping that members of the party are willing to raise $1,500 to go to the delegation by giving donations of $25, $50 or $100 each. Our deadline is Friday, July 31, 2009.

For those who would like to donate online, please click one of the above links. You may also send a check to:

Mississippi Democratic Party
c/o YDMS Convention Fund
P.O. Box 1583
Jackson, MS 39215

If anyone has any questions or would like to find out more information about the YDA Convention, please contact me or call the party office at (601) 969-2913.

Thank you,
Scott Billingsley
YDMS Committee Chairman

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Tomorrow is an important day for the people in House District 82 in Meridian. They will go to the polls to elect a new representative.

Wilbert Jones is the Democratic candidate in this race. I was proud to endorse his candidacy, and I’m hoping that everyone in his district will go to the polls tomorrow and vote for him.

The Republicans are doing everything they can to try and steal this seat from us. We cannot let them succeed. We see what the Republicans are doing in the Legislature right now, trying to destroy Medicaid and tax our hospitals to death.

A vote for Wilbert Jones will protect Medicaid, protect our health care system, protect our public schools and protect our state workers.

We need Wilbert Jones in the Legislature, and I need you to help him get there.

Sincerely,

Jamie Franks

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When I was growing up, my parents never let me go outside and play until I finished my chores. I’ve tried to instill that same lesson in my children.

At my job, if I don’t finish my work, I don’t get paid. I’m sure your job is the same way.

But undoubtedly, the same thing is not true for Gov. Haley Barbour. He helped create a budget mess, and despite an agreement over the weekend, he refuses to call a special session. Instead, he’s still out-of-state, galavanting around to raise money for other politicians.

That’s why we’re asking the people of New Hampshire to send Haley home.

Since the governor is in New Hampshire at a big fundraiser tonight, we thought we’d ask the good people there to send him home so he can finish his chores.

We want to do the same thing in Iowa, but we need your help. We need you to make a small contribution so we can ask the people of Iowa, when they see him, to come home and call a special session.

Please help us get Haley home so we can pass a budget. Any donation will help. $10. $20. $100.

Of course, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant could call the special session himself. I made a public statement to the press earlier today asking him to do just that. I’ve shared that statement below.

Thanks for your continued support of the Mississippi Democratic Party. With your support, we can build a stronger Mississippi made up of leaders who love this state and want to make it great more than they want to take care of their own political career and the career of politicians in other places like Iowa and New Hampshire.

Sincerely,

Chairman Jamie Franks

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PRESS RELEASE: Statement by Chairman Jamie Franks on need for special session

JACKSON – Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Jamie Franks today called on Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant to call a special session while Gov. Haley Barbour is out of the state on political fundraising trips.

“Our state Constitution says that when a governor is out of the state the lieutenant governor becomes the acting governor, enjoying all the authority of that office,” Franks said. “Considering the Senate and House negotiators reached a budget deal over the weekend, I believe Lt. Gov. Bryant should call a special session to pass the budget.”

Franks said such a move would show leadership by Bryant, something that has been lacking in the current lieutenant governor’s term as head of the Senate.

“Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant praised the agreement reached over the weekend at one point, but when Gov. Barbour said he didn’t like it, Bryant backpeddled,” Franks said. “Lt. Gov. Bryant needs to show real leadership and act within the authority of his office to get this budget passed this week.”

Franks also criticized Gov. Barbour for putting the people of Mississippi after his own political aspirations.

“Gov. Barbour doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to do the job he was elected to do,” Franks said. “Instead, he is too busy testing the waters for a presidential run three years from now by raising money in New Hampshire and Iowa.”

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Sen. Alan Nunnelee should be ashamed of himself, but I don’t guess you can hardly blame him. After all, he’s just following the leader.

Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant wants to run for governor, so he held up budget negotiations so he could move $60 million to be used in 2011 when his name would be on the ballot.

Gov. Haley Barbour wants to run for president, so he headed to D.C. for television interviews and is next going to Iowa and New Hampshire for fundraisers instead of helping fix the budget stalemate.

And now, Alan Nunnelee is bailing from Jackson tonight so he can attend the final stop of his “listening tour” before he decides to run for Congress next year.

Nunnelee should stay in Jackson and try to finalize a budget deal we hear is very close. In fact, one of the major stumbling blocks seems to be the governor’s “approval”, which is not required by state law.

Instead of staying home and working to convince the governor that the plan on the table is a good one, Nunnelee’s running away from his duties to tend to his political future.

It’s a real shame that three of our state’s leaders in this budgeting process are more concerned about themselves than they are the people of Mississippi. It’s no coincidence, though, that all three are Republicans.

I’d ask you to call Sen. Nunnelee’s office and tell him to do what’s right, but he won’t be there. He’s already on the road to DeSoto County.

Sincerely,

Jamie Franks

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Let’s get behind Wilbert Jones

Wilbert Jones had a great night last night. Out of a field of five, he led the balloting in a special election to replace the late Rep. Charles Young in the District 82 seat of the Mississippi House of Representatives.

Jones received more than 40 percent of the vote, and now he will face Bill Marcy in a June 30 run-off.

While candidates in special elections do not run with party affiliation, the lines are clear here.

Wilbert Jones is the Democrat. Bill Marcy is the Republican.

I’m proud to join with the Democratic leadership of the Mississippi House of Representatives in supporting Wilbert Jones. He is an outstanding candidate who also has the support of former Rep. Young’s family. In Wilbert Jones, we have the opportunity to continue the legacy of Mr. Young by electing someone who will work tirelessly for the hard-working people of East Mississippi.

Thanks for your support of Wilbert Jones.

Sincerely,

Chairman Jamie Franks

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Below is the text of a press release I sent out today. The message is simple:

Republicans are playing dangerous political games with the state budget.

You can help us. You can call key Republican leaders and tell them to stop playing games and adopt the compromises they agreed upon earlier. This will have to be done in a special session, but it can be done quickly.

If we allow the governor to get away with his political stunt, he will cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars. We can’t let that happen.

Please make the calls:

• Gov. Haley Barbour – (601) 359-3150
• Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant – (601) 359-3200
• Sen. Alan Nunnelee – (601) 359-3250
• Sen. Billy Hewes – (601) 359-3209

With your help, maybe we can still save our state budget before Republicans let our government completely shut down.

Sincerely,

Chairman Jamie Franks

Franks speaks out on budget negotiations

JACKSON – Chairman Jamie Franks today condemned the Republican legislative leadership for playing politics with the well being of the state and its taxpayers.

“Republicans in the Legislature have decided that their political futures are more important than the future and well being of the people of Mississippi,” Franks said. “Instead of doing the work they are paid to do, they abdicated their authority to the governor in a purely politically calculated scheme.”

Franks said Gov. Barbour, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and other Republicans in the Senate are more interested in 2011 elections than the budgeting process.

“House and Senate negotiators have reached compromises, only for Sen. Alan Nunnelee to withdraw the agreement at the behest of the governor,” Franks said. “These political shenanigans threaten to shut down government, and if that happens, the people will suffer because of foolish political games played by Republicans.”

The sticking point in negotiations is now whether or not to move $60 million to a fund to be used in 2011.

“We have $60 million to fill budget holes. Why don’t Republicans want to use that money this year? I’ll tell you why. Because Phil Bryant isn’t running for governor until 2011,” Franks said. “There is no rational, logical reason to delay using that money right now to fill our budget holes.”

Franks said using the Rainy Day Fund should also be an option.

“Look outside, it’s coming an economic monsoon in Mississippi,” Franks said.

Franks also praised House negotiators for their efforts.

“When the governor wanted a $90 million hospital tax and the House was opposed to any hospital tax, the House negotiators compromised,” Franks said. “On one day, Sen. Nunnelee thought the compromise was a good idea. A few days later, he said it wasn’t good enough. How is that good-faith negotiating on the part of the Republicans?”

Franks also pointed out that allowing the governor to call a special session is bad fiscal policy.

“A special session costs more per day than does the regular session, but the governor and lieutenant governor don’t care about that,” Franks said. “The governor wants control over the legislative process, and I guess Phil Bryant doesn’t mind handing over that control instead of being a leader like he was elected to do.”

Franks said the governor’s budget will be detrimental to the state. Gov. Barbour’s budget would:

• Increase classroom sizes to 45 students, far too large for teachers to be effective
• Cut $100 million in education funding over three years
• Reduce funding for special education and gifted programs
• Levy a $90 million tax on hospitals in a time when health care costs are increasing and hospitals are struggling to stay afloat
• Cut funding for training of new highway patrol officers at a time when 10 percent of the force is approaching retirement

“For someone who travels the country talking about his sound fiscal policy, Gov. Barbour has some troubling budget proposals,” Franks said. “We have money to pay for services now, but instead of doing so the governor and lieutenant governor will waste thousands of taxpayer dollars on a special session. That may be good partisan politics, but it’s horrible public policy.”

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Tonight was a big night for us. Democrats in cities across Mississippi won
major victories.

We won in large cities like Jackson with Harvey Johnson and Vicksburg with
Paul Winfield. We won in small towns like Booneville with Joe Eaton.

We elected first-time mayors in places like Starkville with Parker Wiseman.
And we beat back tough GOP challenges to return mayors for another term in
places like Oceans Springs with Connie Moran.

In short: Democrats had a good day.

Please join me in celebrating these and other Democratic victories. I know
there were a lot of hard-working candidates. We are proud of them all. They
are a shining example of how strong the Democratic Party in Mississippi
truly is.

Sincerely,

Chairman Jamie Franks

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